Symptoms

Various symptoms of Endometriosis

Keeping a Healthy Pooper to Help my Endo

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Diagram of human bowels

This is an old blog post (2016) and I have since had two bowel resections (2018 and 2020). I’ve also learned alllllll about Endometriosis on the bowels.

Here we go again!  Discussing taboo topics that nobody ever really wants to talk about.

You may remember a few months ago I met with a gastroenterologist to discuss my complaints of pain before, during, and after bowel movements. Anyway, he referred me to a colorectal surgeon here in San Diego for some further testing.  A few months later and my insurance finally approved the appointment!  And *poof* my very first visit to a colorectal surgeon took place last week (nearly five months after my initial visit with my PCP to discuss these complaints)…

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My two cents : sexual abuse and Endometriosis

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A group of women standing next to each other
1 in 5 people born with a uterus were sexually abused as children; 1 in 10 have Endometriosis

As you may recall, last week I shared how I have heard a lot of recent buzz about sexual abuse and Endometriosis sharing a causal link.  As promised, I did some digging to figure this out for myself.  Curious on my opinion?  Read on!  But, please remember : it’s only my opinion.

According to The National Center for Victims of Crime, 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys are a victim of child sexual abuse.  In 2012 in the United States alone there were 62,939 reported cases of child sexual abuse.  That same year, there were 346,830 reported rapes or sexual assaults of persons who were 12 or older.

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Changing birth control pills

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A white pill


So, here’s the news…

Thanks ObamaCare.  Due to changes in insurance coverage and expenses, my employer has changed my insurance plan.  It’s the same carrier, but the plan has altered slightly.  What does that mean for my coverage?

Thankfully, I still can see my same physicians, although my physician co-pays have all increased by about $10.  I’ve no clue how any medical procedures will be affected financially.  BUT what I do know : my insurance will no longer cover my Amethyst birth control.  Sure, it’s free.  Sure there’s all this legislation and praise about free birth control…but my insurance refuses to provide Amethyst anymore.

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Share your Story : Sarah

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Sarah’s symptoms began when she was 13 years old…but her diagnosis not until she was 34! Why not? How is that possible?  It happens more than it should…curious? Read on, Dear Reader, read on.

Sarah’s Journey:  I don’t think I’ve had a single day where my female reproductive organs were active and NOT pissing me off. I got my period one day in summer when I was thirteen years old. And it just … didn’t stop. For the first year of my menstruating life, I bled for 25 days out of thirty. It was ridiculous, and led to me having anemia and needing fluids almost all the time. My well meaning GP at the time said my body was just “adjusting”.

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Share your Story : Rebecca

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A young woman in a hospital bed giving two thumbs up

My Journey with Endometriosis & Adenomyosis by Rebecca L. Gibson

I was always healthy and active in sports while growing up. In 2008, I married my childhood sweetheart and we began our life together. Everything changed in 2009 when I developed symptoms of endometriosis. Endometriosis (en-doh-mee-tree-oh-sis) is an extremely painful condition where tissue resembling – but not the same as – the endometrium (lining of the uterus) is found elsewhere in the body, outside the womb. Although symptoms may indicate endometriosis, an official diagnosis can only be made through surgery. Common symptoms include, but are not limited to –pelvic pain apart from menses, debilitating menstrual pain, backache/leg pain, painful intercourse or pain associated with sexual activity, painful bowel movements, fatigue, bloating, constipation/diarrhea, which may worsen during menses, pain with exercise, painful pelvic exams, painful urination, sciatic pain, infertility/pregnancy loss.

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Share Your Story : Marixsa

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EndoWarrior logo

Marixsa is a fellow blogger and Endo advocate.  She was diagnosed when she was 28 years old.  Now 33, her story is a heartbreaking, yet encouraging, one.  Almost two decades of suffering without a diagnosis, being told she was exaggerating, living in fear of intimacy, missed diagnoses (not misdiagnosis…but literally doctors not seeing her Endometriosis while in surgery), followed by a myriad of additional surgeries, emotional rollercoasters, fertility treatments, and miscarriage.  Although scarred, Marixsa is truly a strong and beautiful Warrior, rich in faith and determination.  She continues to fight, for herself and for other EndoSisters.    And I hold her among my heroes.

Marixsa’s Journey: Like so many women, endometriosis affected me years before I was diagnosed. It’s been quite a journey, which is why this section is so long. Here’s where this road has taken me:

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It hurts to have sex…

| Bloomin' Uterus
A bed with the blankets drawn back revealing the sheets and four pillows

So this entry’s going to get a bit personal.  And possibly full of Too Much Information.  But it is a topic that needs to be addressed.  Not only for myself, but for countless otherssuffering from the same issues.

One of the symptoms of Endometriosis for a lot of EndoWarriors is painful sex (either during, after, or both), and it’s estimated that more than half of the people with Endo suffer from it.  The fancy name for pelvic pain during or after sex is Dyspareunia. It’s common and it could have a myriad of causes and factors.  Some of those factors can be vaginal dryness, herpes, Endometriosis, ovarian cysts, fibroids, Adenomyosis, uterine tilt, bowel tenderness or fullness, pelvic inflammatory disease, infections, or bladder issues.  The pain can be limited to the vaginal opening or canal, or it can extend deeper into the pelvic region and thighs.  This pain can stop as soon as sexual activity is stopped, or can last for hours, or even days afterward.  It can be a dull ache, a sharp pain, stabbing sensations, and can range from barely there to excruciating.

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Share your Story : Tine

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African American woman smiling

Tine is the co-captain of Team Zimbabwe’s 2016 EndoMarch.  She and Nadia are seeking to raise awareness regarding Endometriosis, menstrual health, education the medical community, and letting women in their country know that they are not alone…and this pain is not normal.  Tine is also heavily involved in the NGO As I Am Foundation, a foundation that creates projects that are sustainable for the disadvantaged.  Nadia and Tine have shared their stories in the hope that it will encourage other African girls to be aware and not ashamed.  Tine’s story follows:

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Share your Story : Nadia

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Nadia is the team leader for Team Zimbabwe.  They’re putting together the first ever EndoMarch in their country and are hoping it will be a great success.  They are also hosting a February 27, 2016, awareness campaign with guest speakers to try to not only raise awareness of our illness, but hold in-depth conversations about possible causes and future treatments.  Nadia and I have been talking for the past several days and she’s allowing me to share her story with you today.

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